SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Today, we focus on power grid vulnerability to cyber attacks. EMP, CME (severe solar storms), and physical infrastructure attacks are not the only risks!
Power Grid Vulnerability: Utilities Fined for “Serious Cyber Risks”
This troubling article illustrates the vulnerability of our three national power grids: Secrecy Reigns as NERC Fines Utilities $10M citing Serious Cyber Risks. Here is how the article opens: “The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) imposed its stiffest fine to date for violations of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) cybersecurity regulations. But who violated the standards and much of what the agency found remains secret. In a 250 page regulatory filing, NERC fined undisclosed companies belonging to a so-called ‘Regional Entity’ $10 million for 127 violations of the Critical Infrastructure Protection standards, the U.S.’s main cyber security standard for critical infrastructure including the electric grid.
Thirteen of the violations listed were rated as a “serious risk” to the operation of the Bulk Power System and 62 were rated a ‘moderate risk.’ Together, the ‘collective risk of the 127 violations posed a serious risk to the reliability of the (Bulk Power System),’ NERC wrote.” (Our thanks to J.M. for the link.) I hope that more Americans–especially our legislators–wake up to power grid vulnerability!
JWR Interviewed on the Pending Private Party Gun Transfer Ban
I was just interviewed on the Reluctant Preppers podcast about H.R. 8 — the pending Private Party Gun Transfer Ban. Therein, I gave a summary of the proposed law and the short-term tsunami in gun prices that will be felt in the interval between the law’s passage but before enactment. I also explained the probable long term effects in the market for pre-1899 antiques.
Corporal’s Corner: Adirondacks Class Footage
Tim J. recommended a couple of great video training segments from the always quite useful Corporal’s Corner web site: Adirondacks Class Footage: Winter Emergency Shelters as well as this one: Takedown Bucksaw.
Yellow Vests in Stuttgart: Protesting a Diesel Driving Ban
H.L. spotted this: Yellow Vests in Germany: Hundreds Protest New EU Regulations. The article begins: “Hundreds of people demonstrated Saturday in Stuttgart, the bastion of Germany’s car industry, against a recent driving ban on older diesels, wearing yellow vests to match protesters in France whose movement began as a reaction to proposed fuel hikes.”
DNA Test Company Brags of FBI Data Sharing
Survivalblog reader D.S.V. suggested this article: One of the largest at-home DNA testing companies is giving the FBI access to its records.
San Francisco’s Drug Addict Legions
Peter sent us this newspaper article link: San Francisco — where drug addicts outnumber high school students. Peter’s Comments: “I am reminded of a societal conundrum: We don’t advocate feeding wild animals since it introduces long-term, bad behaviors such as a lack of foraging skills, attracting too many animals to an area, and increased reproduction rates due to an abundance of food. It also increases the risk of a disease outbreak due to more animals in the area. So why do we promote basic-income programs for younger, healthy people?”
Anti-Gun Attorney General Nominee: William Barr
Firearms Policy Coalition has posted this video with an important alert: Tell US Senate to Vote ‘NO’ on Anti #2A AG Nominee, William Barr. Please please, contact your Senators. While you are on the phone with their office: Also insist that they vote against S.42–the unconstitutional ban on INTRA-State private party gun sales.
Pink’s Celebrity Daughter is a Shooter
James C. suggested this article, over at AllOutdoor.com: Pink’s Celebrity Daughter is a Shooter. The piece begins: “Not all famous entertainers are ignorant anti-gunners, as proven by a recent Instagram video posted by hartluck, the userid of former motorcycle racer Corey Hart, husband of the well-known singer known as Pink. Hart posted a video of their 7-year-old daughter Willow Sage Hart firing a rifle, with the following caption:
‘Haven’t poked the parent police bear in a few days. Willz and I shooting the 22 rifle. She is getting pretty good. Can hit a 12 inch pie plate from 30 yards. Started her shooting at 3yrs old. For the record non[sic] of us hunt, just enjoy shooting for sport. I’m raising the kids with knowledge of fire arms, how to handle them, shoot them, store them, and avoid them in uneducated hands. #knowledgeispower'”
—
Please send your news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who watch news that is important to them. Due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” news. We often “get the scoop” on news that is most likely ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
Vulnerability to cyber attack is far worse than most people can imagine. This ABC news story from 2014 states that Russian sponsored hackers had managed to insert a trojan horse malware into our power management systems. The hacked software is used to control complex industrial operations like oil and gas pipelines, power transmission grids, water distribution, and filtration systems, wind turbines and even some nuclear plants. This essentially allows them to flip a switch and disrupt or control critical infrastructure. The malware itself is called “blackenergy.”
https://abcnews.go.com/US/trojan-horse-bug-lurking-vital-us-computers-2011/story?id=26737476
In addition, the ease with which a single person can wreak havoc on unprotected high voltage transformer’s throughout the power grid is laughable were it not so serious
I would like to find out more on William Barr and how he was involved in the Ruby Ridge catastrophe and how he has been busy since then. It has been “mentioned” but no real details on his terrible behavior and how he is linked to the establishment and how this scum got brought back to the top. These bills and this A.G. and other decisions that smell just like the same old garbage we have been dished from the same controllers.
Just different chess moves and slight of hand with the same pawns who fell off the board the games before.
When do Eric Holder and Rice and Bernanke and Lynch come back to office?
Trump should have known better. Maybe he knows exactly what he is doing. I haven’t got to hear the speech, but I think he didn’t say anything real at all. Just the Wall. No real corruption no real players.
No elimination of bills like The False statements accountability Act of 1996 18 USC 1001 subsection B allowing these freaks to lie in in any Federal court or congress.
Just the trials and hearings out there to waste our time.
Subsection A is for our Lawyers and us and they all put themselves under subsection B. We are none the wiser when we go to prison for perjury. And they never get held accountable for real crimes.
Patriot Act
National defense authorization act ( indefinite detention, no trial, no phone call)
Now we are going to have Gun registration and Guilty until proven innocent.
The King James Bible is hate speech.
WE ARE ALREADY IN A WAR. THEY ARE ALREADY FIRING THE FIRST SHOTS
Just not at you…yet. When it is you at 3:00 A.M you will be all by yourself and the next day they will televise that they caught a child trafficker part of a large ring that will need to be brought to justice then…crickets.
Then they will chose their next home schooling family.
10,000 WACO’s Randy Weaver’s.
Enjoy the ride people.
What are you talking about… you’ve missed about a score of other FBI attocities.
I’m talking about killing the Weaver family son, wife, dog in cold blooded murder.
Torching the Branch Dividians so all die during their siege.
Killing LaVoy Finicum in cold blooded murder and raiding the Bundy ranch taking their cash cow-litteraly. Not to mention the millions of dollars in fees for attornies and years in jail including solitary confinement.
Then the jailing of Michael Cohen (you might think it’s justified – please finish my comment reading)
The Jailing of General Flynn
The raid with a score of FBI commandos at 5 AM, with CNN tipped off and present, an almost 70 year old man unarmed…. Roger Stone.
Now my counter argument…
The Occupy Wall Street movement occupied more ground than Bundys at the Burns Wildlife Refugee.
The ANTIFA movement displayed more loaded assault rifles in Seattle WA last month to motorists on highways than the Bundys had.
Lois Lerner who had obstructed justice and hurt countless lives and non profits has been exonerated innocent and has a full government pension.
Hillary Clinton who had top secret data on her server in a basement of a home and emails too boot in the FBIs hands depicting her crime was exonerated in a six week investigation from the FBI and exonerated on our Independence Day 2016 by one James Comey.
Debbie Washerman Shultz (watch those two last name gals–they always spell trouble) was colluding with HRC to wine the Democratic primary candidacy, unlawfully stripped from Bernnie Sanders, and Debbie still serves in Congress….
Can anyone, anyone at all, ever give a time or situation where the FBI has apprehended a Democrat for their crimes. I mean any Democrat will do… anyone????
I wouldn’t say “enjoy the ride,” unless you mean the ride around neighborhoods were these elected officials live and mark comings and goings for the next step you’re about to do……
This must stop! Stop sitting back! Get out and do something about these injustices.
DNA testing… I’ve been rashed by family and friends telling me what great “knowledge” they’ve found through 23andme, a well advertised DNA testing company. 23and me will tell you about you family history and even how many “famous” people you may be related to. What fluff!
My curiosity was tweaked by the story recently posted about how Google and Facebook were jump started through venture capital from a CIA fund. (No strings there – right?) So, what do you know? I looked into 23andme’s venture capital funding and co-founder Anne Wojcicki, who was married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin at the time and gave $3,900,000 to fund 23andme. Other funders with less data mining expertise as Google but, interested more in medical research cubby-holing the world populous with 23andme data also contributed venture capital.
Now, for the next $99. deal of the millennium. (Currently low low price of 23andme spit here kit)
See and ad for another “health” beneficial device to save you from strokes and heart attacks. Kardia Mobile EKG, (That’s right – only the low low price of $99.) Who could possibly be the venture capital funder here? Well coincidentally, the parent company of Kardia Mobile – LiveCor’s Chief Executive Officer is Vic Gundotra, who also has fled longtime leadership roles at Microsoft AND Google.
Nuff said…
I so regret doing the Ancestry test. As a child conceived by rape, I always wondered about my paternal side and the dna test was enticing. About a year after I completed my test I saw an article where the law enforcement used the site to get family dna on someone. I ran in circles but eventually got Ancestry to delete my account as well as specifically requested my sample be destroyed. They claim they have done both as requested but I’m not sure if I believe them on the latter.
Even with all the information I learned about my paternal side, I would never do it over again. I also have shared articles about LE using results to aid their convictions with others who have considered using these companies. I’ve never committed a serious crime (ran a red light once and have had a speeding ticket in my teens) but that isn’t the point. I never thought my sample would be used for anything but what I was paying for. I felt/feel foolish and deeply regret taking the test.
Regarding changes to gun ownership restrictions, the recent fervor over several states raising their legal age minimums to 21 brings to mind the argument that if an age limit can be moved once, it can be moved again on a whim. If 18 was considered responsible only a year ago, but now it’s not, who’s to say gun control advocates won’t move the age of “responsibility” to 25 or 30, or higher?
Think that’s not possible? Here’s news regarding a bill in Hawaii suggesting the move of the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes in increments starting next year (beginning with age 30) that ends in 2024 at the age of 100(!!).
Give ’em an inch, and if they can get away with it, they’ll try to take that proverbial mile. We must allow NO COMPROMISES to our 2A rights.
I feel like I’m smashing my head against a brick wall here but… here goes.
There is NO such thing as “Second Amendment rights”. The 2A is a restriction on government not on the individual. You have the inherent right to life, liberty, and property because you were born and are a sovereign human being. The right to life, liberty, and property includes the right to defend them.
The 2A speaks of “the right of the people”. It is a reference to the inherent, individual, right of self defense. This right is pre-existing. It pre-dates any laws, constitution, charter, or any such other legal nonsense. As such the government cannot rescind, restrict, or otherwise remove it or put a legal claim against it.
So what if they spill some ink on paper, call it a “law” and insist that you obey it. They could go as far as repealing the sacred 2A.
So what!! It changes nothing!!
No matter what the criminal idiots in DC do I will remain armed because of my inherent, pre-existing, right of self-defense. Not because of some ink spilled on parchment 230 years ago.
Hey, we’re on the same side, so take a deep breath. You are exactly correct that our natural right to self-defense pre-dates any government or document. Take care that you don’t misinterpret the intentions of others just because their posts are exactly worded as you would yourself write.
When someone mentions “2nd Amendment rights”, often it signifies that the Constitution mentions this natural right. It does not grant it, and it does not convey it, but it does bring it to the forefront so that everyone (both public servant in government and private citizen in society) will be reminded of it. Be careful not to paint too broad a brush over everyone’s comments to indicate that people other than yourself don’t understand this. But even so, Liberty Defenders such as you and I will refer to the 2A because that’s the focal point for the common listener.
If we argue that an unjust law violates the Constitution and is therefore null and void, it’s certainly easiest to undergird that debate when there’s a 2A to specifically reference.
When I clicked on the link to the podcast, I got all kinds of warning bells about security.
Today on my way in to work (I am a court reporter and was doing a trial), I passed an older gentleman in a wheelchair on my way into the courthouse. He was holding a sign that said, what do you think of assault weapons. He asked me. I said I think you should keep your hands off all my weapons. He said, oh, do you want to sign my petition then? I’m a veteran and we want to get this on the ballot. I asked what it was. And he said to keep our guns. I didn’t think things had already moved that fast, but I said let me see it.
So, I start reading it and he keeps trying to talk to me repeating that he was a Marine vet and we need this on the ballot to get it voted on. The first paragraph dealt with the mandatory 3-day waiting period. Didn’t see anything new. Start on the second paragraph and it’s all about the magazines etc. The whole story. I was reading through it more to see if it contained info on the private sales….the whole time this gentleman is talking at me about how he’s a vet and it’s important that we get this stuff on the ballot to vote on….trying to engage in conversation. I turned my back and started reading over again. I was sure I was missing something because what was there was certainly NOT something I would want to help be on the ballot to vote on. All the felony charges and fines language. All the things that the Dems are trying so hard to accomplish. Finally it dawned on me that I wasn’t misunderstanding what I was reading, but that he was misrepresenting what it said.
I looked at him and I’m like you’re kidding, right? Did you think you ask me and I tell you my opinion on gun rights and then you act like, oh, wouldn’t I want to sign your ballot, and that I would just assume it was something then that I agreed with and not bother reading it? And you’re just going to tell me you’re a Marine and a vet and I’m going to just trust you and sign it? He’s like well, we need this on the ballot to vote on if those are your beliefs. I said why? Putting it on the ballot to ask people to vote on it to be MORE restrictive? You’re working hard enough towards that; I’m certainly not going to help you take anymore of my rights away.
How many times do people ask you to sign a petition and you ask what it is because you’re in a hurry and don’t want to read it all? They tell you and do you read it yourself or believe them? Please, please read it yourself. We’re obviously in a new era where they’re trying to get us to help them take our own rights away by dressing people up like veterans, knowing they get an automatic “trust” that they would not be lying and they would certainly not be voting to take gun rights away. Pure scam. I really just couldn’t believe it.
Don’t you feel good about Nerc fining YOU 10 million dollars?
YOU are the one who pays all these fines. All of a company’s money comes from the consumer.
It would be better to make the companies use the money for updating equipment, rather than enriching some agency’s coffers.
Remember this the next time any company is fined “for your protection”
You would be amazed at how easy ( an rightfully so) you can make sure there is no monkey speech in a contract. One single line through the wording holds standing in contract law. There are all kinds of contracts flying around with mouths saying they are the opposite of what the contract really says. READ ALL CONTRACTS and edit accordingly.
It is common practice to rush you into signing so you are on time for an appointment. You always should ask for documentation in advance or show up much earlier than they give you to fill out paperwork at an appointment.
Learn how to put a single line through a sentence or paragraph on a “one click” contract or agreement on a computer.
Anyone know how to do this?